McDonald becoming key part of Shepherd basketball team

February 4, 2013

SHEPHERDSTOWN When former Musselman standout Morgan McDonald began playing college basketball at Shepherd University, he was looking to be a key member of the second recruiting class that Rams head coach Justin Namolik was putting together.

"I remembered him as a gangly kid. I put him in a couple games and took him out when he was struggling," Namolik said of McDonald. "I remember saying to myself at the beginning of the 2010-11 season 'I am going to commit to him, let him grow, play and learn from his mistakes.'

"He got so much better by the end of his freshman year that he was getting 16 points and eight rebounds, and it was hard to take him off the floor. To see that improvement was just outstanding, and that is one of the things I will remember about him."

Article Photos

Former Musselman standout Morgan McDonald, right, overcame a serious knee injury to become a key player for Shepherd this season.Journal photo by Ron Agnir

Preparing to begin his sophomore season, McDonald ended up suffering a major setback that resulted in a knee surgery. That led to McDonald undergoing Osteoarticular Transfer System, a procedure involving the cartilage in his left knee.

"When the guys were playing a pickup game, and Morgan's knee was starting to bother him, it crushed us," Namolik said. "I was looking forward to having a strong sophomore year from him after a strong freshman season."

"When I found out that I had had cartilage break off and some bones in my knee were rubbing together, I could tell I was done for the year," McDonald said of the injury to his knee. "I was ready to get it done, move on and be a better player than what I already was."

After repairs to his meniscus and the cartilage were complete, McDonald was set back by infections a week after the procedure, resulting in McDonald having to take a medical redshirt, giving him an extra year of eligibility.

During the year away from playing, McDonald rehabilitated his knee through physical therapy sessions and never wavered from his desire to play basketball.

"I felt like the fever was never going to go away, but I never thought I would never want to play basketball again," McDonald said. "The desire to keep playing was what kept me going."

As McDonald remained dedicated to returning to the Rams, his teammates and coaches supported him on his road to recovery.

"Every single one of my teammates and coaches came and saw me at the hospital, text me and called me," McDonald said. "Those guys wanted me to come back, so I was motivated by that.

"It was nice having people who were behind me and still believed in me."

"Just thinking about him when he was in the hospital and dealing with the complications and see him come all the way back shows him as a kid who has overcome adversity," Namolik said. "When a player finds out he is out for nine months just for rehab, it's tough.

"I remember going to one of Morgan's physical therapy sessions and seeing him jump for the first time. It was one of the small steps he had to take to succeed, and he appreciates going through that and showing that part of who he is."

As the 2011-12 season came to a close, McDonald was able to run shooting drills with his teammates. One particular moment during one of those drills fired up the team.

"When Morgan dunked for the first time since the injury, his teammates got a kick out of that," Namolik said. "Even then, he continued to get stronger in the summer time. He felt some pain during conditioning, but we are looking at the long term with him."

At the beginning of the season, McDonald became a starting forwardin the Rams lineup. As of Saturday, he averaged 11.6 points per game and 6.4 rebounds, good for third and second highest on the roster in those categories.

A welcome addition for McDonald's return to the Rams was former Musselman teammate and Liberty, Va. Flames transfer Logan Holloman.

"It's neat seeing Logan and Morgan together because they have played basketball together in high school and now in college," Namolik said. "Logan is more of an energy guy, always positive, while Morgan is more an even keel guy. It's great seeing those two communicate with each other on the floor.

"Those two are so different, but complement each other so well."

As the Rams, who sit at 11-8 currently, enter the home stretch of the season, Namolik is looking brightly at the future for McDonald.

"He can rebound well and catch the ball with both hands and finish around the basket," Namolik said. "He can be more dangerous with time as he continues to shoot threes, be able to be stronger and drive past people, he could become a really good basketball player."